mets
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Metastases |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical |
| Also written | METs, MetS |
mets has three meanings. The most common are Metastases (hematology and oncology) and Metabolic equivalents (cardiology); it can also stand for Metabolic syndrome.
Meanings of mets at a glance
| # | mets stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metastases | Medical › Hematology and Oncology |
| 2 | Metabolic equivalents | Medical › Cardiology |
| 3 | Metabolic syndrome | Medical › Endocrinology & Diabetes |
1. Metastases
Medical · Hematology and Oncology Abbreviations
Shorthand for cancer that has spread from its original site to distant parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, bones or brain. Metastatic disease defines stage IV in most solid tumors.
Example: CT CAP: multiple liver mets and a new lytic lesion in L2; restaging after cycle 4.
The singular is metastasis and the verb is metastasize; the word comes from Greek for "change of place." Patterns of spread differ by cancer type, for example prostate cancer to bone and colorectal cancer to liver. Oligometastatic disease, with only a few metastases, may be treated with surgery or stereotactic radiation aiming for long-term control. Usually written lowercase.
2. Metabolic equivalents (METs)
Medical · Cardiology Abbreviations
Unit expressing exercise intensity as a multiple of resting energy use, where 1 MET equals about 3.5 mL of oxygen per kilogram per minute. Stress test reports state the METs achieved, and preoperative assessments ask whether a patient can manage 4 METs, such as climbing a flight of stairs.
Example: Exercised 11 minutes on the Bruce protocol, achieving 12.8 METs with no ischemic changes.
Fitness is one of the strongest predictors of survival, and each additional MET achieved on testing is associated with lower mortality in large cohorts. Slow walking is about 2 to 3 METs, brisk walking 4 to 5 and running 8 or more. Written MET in the singular and METs in the plural.
3. Metabolic syndrome (MetS)
Medical · Endocrinology & Diabetes Abbreviations
Cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors diagnosed when at least three of five are present: large waist, triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or more, low HDL cholesterol, blood pressure of 130/85 or higher, and fasting glucose of 100 mg/dL or more. It roughly doubles cardiovascular risk.
Example: Waist 104 cm, TG 210, HDL 36, BP 136/88: meets MetS criteria.
The harmonized definition of 2009 combined criteria from the US National Cholesterol Education Program and the International Diabetes Federation, with waist cutoffs that vary by ethnicity. Also called syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome in older texts. The lowercase "et" distinguishes it from other MS abbreviations.
Related abbreviations
More hematology and oncology abbreviations
- MAHA – Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
- MCL – Mantle cell lymphoma
- mCRPC – Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
- MDS – Myelodysplastic syndrome
- MGUS – Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
- MM – Multiple myeloma
- MPN – Myeloproliferative neoplasm
- MRD – Minimal residual disease
See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →
More cardiology abbreviations
- LVOT – Left ventricular outflow tract
- MACE – Major adverse cardiovascular events
- MAP – Mean arterial pressure
- MAT – Multifocal atrial tachycardia
- MI – Myocardial infarction
- MINOCA – Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries
- MPI – Myocardial perfusion imaging
- MR – Mitral regurgitation
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.